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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Barcelona 'being used as stalking horse' by leading transfer target
Barcelona are hoping to make signings this summer, with a goalkeeper and left winger being their priority positions to address. For the latter, Luis Diaz is the preferred target of sporting director Deco, although it could be tough for a deal to be agreed with both him and his club, Liverpool. Barcelona have concrete interest in Luis Diaz Deco has long admired Diaz, and he has already been granted approval from Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick to move forward with negotiations. And in recent weeks, it has looked good for the La Liga champions to get a deal done, considering Liverpool will likely need to raise funds as a result of their expected signing of Florian Wirtz. Advertisement But despite this, and also the fact that Diaz is a boyhood Barcelona supporter, it is far from certain that an agreement will be reached this summer. Sales will be needed before the funds for a deal can be raised, and further to this, personal terms may not be agreed. Diaz 'using Barcelona' to get improved Liverpool contract Image via Camera Sport / Getty Images As reported by Relevo, Diaz prioritises staying at Liverpool next season, and it is believed that he is using the interest from Barcelona to put pressure on the Premier League champions to offer him an improved contract. It has been reported in recent months that Liverpool are looking to offer Diaz a new deal, but at this stage, negotiations have not been positive. The player and his representatives have been unsatisfied with the terms that have been proposed, which is why there is a desire to drum up pressure by leaning on Barcelona's interest. If this is the case, it would be no surprise to see Barcelona forget about Diaz, as they will only want players whose first priority is to wear the Blaugrana. And of those that falls into this category is Marcus Rashford, who is another of the club's targets for the left wing position.
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
UEFA told to use strategy that'd see Irish clubs paid for players in Champions League, Europa League & Conference League
A PROPOSAL for a player development reward strategy could result in a windfall for Irish clubs. The Union of European Clubs - which has more than 140 members, including 2 UEFA are being urged to adopt a player development reward strategy that would see grassroot clubs benefit from players in European competition Credit: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images 2 Adam Idah, Liam Scales, and Caoimhin Kelleher were involved in the Champions League proper this season Credit: Craig Williamson / SNS Group The UEC - which also has clubs like The plan calls for at least five percent of its annual club competition revenues to benefit clubs that have trained and developed players lining out in the It said it is 'a pragmatic, merit-based approach to restoring fairness and balance in the It would reward clubs which developed players between the age of 12 and 23 who go on to play in the Read More on UEFA Only three Irish players - Celtic's The sums due are based on minutes played, with the UEC providing SunSport with the sums due for the Idah left College Corinthians for Arklow Town would receive a larger sum in respect of Scales with €105,000 due to UCD and €35,000 to Most read in Football Each of his three former clubs would also be due payments for Scales' appearances in the competition in previous seasons. Ringmahon Rangers , for whom Kelleher played until he joined Liverpool aged 16, would also be compensated. 'I can't see anything' - Chelsea fans moan as live TNT Sports coverage of Conference League clash is ruined by smoke The UEC argues that the new scheme is needed because 'the current system is both outdated and misaligned with the goals of sustainable football'. It says 'FIFA'S transfer solidarity and training compensation mechanisms are unreliable and tied to transfer activity, not actual development success' and that 'UEFA solidarity payments currently do not contain any specific club reward based on successful player development'.
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Sam Warburton says 'Welsh rugby needs the Premiership' and poses million dollar question
Sam Warburton says 'Welsh rugby needs the Premiership' and poses million dollar question The former Wales captain admits he's envious of what's on offer across the Severn Bridge Warburton believes Welsh rugby 'needs the Premiership' (Image: Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images ) Wales legend Sam Warburton says Welsh rugby "needs the Premiership" after Bristol Bears and Bath played out an enthralling league derby at the Principality Stadium. The two English sides took their clash over the border on Saturday for the Bears' 'Big Day Out', their first attempt at hosting a Gallagher Premiership match at the home of Welsh rugby. There are hopes that it will become an annual occurrence and the event certainly got off to a promising start, with 51,095 fans piling into the stadium to watch Bristol run out as 36-14 winners. That attendance is in stark contrast to the number of supporters sat in the stadium for Judgement Day three weeks ago, with just 28,328 people coming to watch the four Welsh regions in action in the annual United Rugby Championship double-header. The contrasting interest in the two events has seen the idea of an Anglo-Welsh league explored again, with several senior figures in the game - including Bristol head coach Pat Lam - talking up the benefits of such a move. Up until recently, there had been talks of the Premiership and the URC merging with an Anglo-Welsh conference to be included in that competition, but they fell through. However, Warburton admits he is "envious" of what's on offer in England's top competition and believes that Welsh rugby needs to be a part of it to help the state of the game on this side of the border. Article continues below On punditry duty for TNT Sports for the Principality Stadium clash, the former Wales skipper said: 'It's lovely being a neutral (at the Principality) for a change, I can enjoy the rugby no matter what happens. 'When this game was announced a while ago I thought it was a really nice idea. Now it is justified, it seems there is going to be a minimum 50,000 here." 'I have been doing the Premiership all season," he added. "I can't help but envy every ground I go to, whether it is Kingsholm, even AJ Bell, great stadiums. Exeter, you do down there, Bath is always rocking, Bristol. 'I'm thinking personally Welsh rugby needs this, [it] needs the Premiership." However, Warburton went on to pose the million-dollar question, the answer to which will decide the fate of any potential future Anglo-Welsh league proposals. "The big question I guess, is whether the Premiership needs us," he added. "I don't know but I do feel that the Welsh, I look across the Bridge and look at what product you have got (in England) and what gates you get in, the jeopardy you have in the competition, Welsh rugby needs this.' It comes after Lam told WalesOnline's Welsh Rugby Podcast that he believes an Anglo-Welsh league "makes sense" for English clubs. "I'm probably neutral because I loved it when I was at Connacht playing against Cardiff, Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons," the Bristol boss said. Article continues below "For us it makes sense if we've got 10 teams and there's four over there. I don't want to be controversial but I can see an Anglo-Welsh league would be huge as well. That's up for other people to decide but it's on the same island. "There's the history as well. People tell me back in the day Bristol used to play Cardiff in midweek and there used to be sellouts here and over there," he added. "One of the reasons is there's a close affinity between the Welsh and the Bristolians as well. I'm not the guy who decides all these things but if it ever went down to an Anglo-Welsh I could see it being successful."
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Lions captaincy leak reveals name and Farrell hit by late triple blow
Tonight's rugby news as Lions captaincy leak reveals name and Farrell hit by late triple blow The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Farrell has been hit by some late injury headaches (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images ) These are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, May 7. Lions captain set to be Maro Itoje Maro Itoje is set to be named Lions captain on Thursday, it is being reported. The Press Association say the England skipper expected to be given the honour when the squad for this summer's tour to Australia is announced in London. Itoje will attend a captain's dinner in the capital on Wednesday night, alongside former skippers Martin Johnson, Brian O'Driscoll, Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones and Gavin Hastings. Itoje became the frontrunner for the role after leading England with distinction during the Six Nations, guiding the team to a runners-up finish in his maiden spell as starting skipper. Simplifying the decision to place the 2017 and 2021 Lions tourist in charge is the shoulder injury sustained by his main rival for the post Caelan Doris, with surgery likely to rule the Ireland number eight out of the entire trip. Head coach Andy Farrell will unveil a squad of between 37-40 players at a lunchtime event at indigo at The O2 in London that will be watched by a crowd of 2,000. Article continues below The captain alone will be present on stage with players only finding out if they will be part of the 10-fixture tour that opens against Argentina in Dublin on June 20 when the names are read out on Sky Sports. Doris' horribly-timed injury is set to rob the Lions of their Test number eight, but also raises the prospect of Taulupe Faletau embarking on his fourth tour with the elite of British and Irish rugby. Farrell senior has said that all qualified players are being considered, giving hope to those tied to French clubs of making the cut when the successful names are read out by Lions chair Ieuan Evans. Apart from Farrell's son Owen, this opens the doors to the likes of Toulouse's Blair Kinghorn and Jack Willis, even though they would most likely miss the start of the tour because of their Top 14 commitments. Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi are also possibilities to make a squad that is expected to be comprised mainly of players from Ireland and England, with Scotland contributing a healthy contingent and Wales supplying as few as two or three. Farrell hit by late triple blow Andy Farrell has been hit by a third late injury blow on the eve of announcing his British & Irish Lions squad, with England lock George Martin ruled out of the tour of Australia. The Leicester star was in consideration for a place and had been tipped to star by the likes of former Lions captain Sam Warburton, but faced a race to return to fitness in time having had his season disrupted by knee and shoulder injuries. However, MailSport reports that Martin - who last played in February - will not be available for the Lions, or indeed England's summer tour of Argentina and the USA, in the latest injury headache for Farrell. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free It comes after leading captaincy candidate Caelan Doris underwent surgery on a shoulder injury earlier this week to leave his chances of making the tour hanging by a thread, while Ireland wing Mack Hansen has also joined the casualty list, suffering an ankle injury that is set to keep him sidelined for five weeks. There are further injury concerns in the back three, with Duhan van der Merwe looking to battle back to fitness from an ankle injury, while George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Blair Kinghorn are all currently sidelined. In midfield, England's Ollie Lawrence has already been ruled out after having surgery on his Achilles, while Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones have also been injured. Welsh scrum-half returns Welsh scrum-half Dane Blacker is returning to the Scarlets from the Dragons this summer, the region has confirmed. The 26-year-old played 56 games over four years in West Wales, scoring 15 tries, but moved to Rodney Parade in 2023. He has made 33 appearances for the Men of Gwent over the last two years, but now has decided to return to Parc y Scarlets for a second stint. Blacker - who was called up to the Wales squad by Wayne Pivac in 2022 but has never been capped - is the third new signing for Dwayne Peel's side, with Jake Ball also returning for a second spell with the region alongside fellow Welsh international Joe Hawkins. Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Tomi Lewis, Eddie James, Taine Plumtree and Kemsley Mathias have all also signed new deals to stay with the region. 'I'm really excited to be returning to the Scarlets – a club I've truly enjoyed playing for in the past," said Blacker as his signing was confirmed. 'It feels great to be coming back to such a passionate rugby environment, with incredible fans who always bring energy and support. I'm looking forward to being part of an exciting team and future.' Head coach Peel added: 'We are delighted to welcome Dane back to the Scarlets – we were disappointed to see him leave a couple of years ago. He showed then the calibre of player he is, pushing himself into international contention and scoring some great tries. 'He is going to add to the quality in our scrum-half pool with Gareth and Archie here and Rhodri Lewis also pushing hard for opportunities.' Ireland prop retires Munster and Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne has announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season. The 36-year-old has won 56 caps for Ireland, representing his country at the last two Rugby World Cups and helping them to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023, the same year he won the URC title with Munster. He is one of only 15 players to have made over 200 appearances for the Irish province, but has struggled with injury in recent years and played his final match for Munster against Ulster in December. Article continues below "Growing up living in Limerick, my dream was always to play for Munster and Ireland," said Kilcoyne as he confirmed his retirement. "To have done so for so long has been a dream come true. "The last two years haven't gone as planned with surgeries to my shoulder and Achilles. In a way, it's easier that the decision to play on has been taken away from me. "I take great pride in knowing that I always gave everything I had and left nothing on the pitch. It's almost a fitting way for me to finish up."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andi Weimann shares recovery update heading into 'long off-season'
Weimann's season was cut short in early March (Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth) Andi Weimann has shared an update on his recovery as the experienced forward continues his road back from a knee injury. Weimann scored nine goals in 35 appearances for Rovers before his season was cut short against Norwich at the start of March. The 33-year-old is feeling positive after some time away with his family and is now ready for the hard work over the summer as he aims to get back on the pitch as quickly as possible. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'I think I am exactly where I should be,' he said of his recovery. 'I had a nice little holiday with the kids over Easter so I feel refreshed. 'Now I will be in through the whole off-season to get ready for pre-season. I think I am in a good spot. '(It was important) mentally, more than anything, to get away. It was the Easter holiday so it worked out well to go away with my kids and my wife for 10 days and just switch off from everything. 'I know it is going to be a long off-season now. I will be in probably every day trying to get fit so I needed it.' Weimann was Rovers' joint-top scorer heading into the final day when Yuki Ohashi's composed finish took the Japan international into double figures. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'I said it when I got injured, I think it was a decent season for me,' the former Bristol City man reflected. 'I played every game when I was available, off the bench or starting. My goal return is not bad, 15 starts and seven goals in the league, I think it is pretty decent. I have enjoyed my season, we will see how we get on. READ MORE: Former Rovers striker Rhodes to depart Blackpool at end of his contract 'If you lose that (desire) then I guess it is time to stop playing. I have still got it 100 per cent and that is why I am working really hard to get back fit and be on the pitch again next season. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'I love playing football, I love the day-to-day, being around the changing room. Saturday or Tuesday night when the game kicks off, there is no better feeling.' The only frustration for Weimann was not being able to contribute on the pitch over the past couple of months as Rovers battled for a play-off spot. The forward was part of the squad that travelled to Bramall Lane last weekend so that he could support his team-mates. 'It is obviously tough watching when we were losing games and you can't help. The last few games have been the opposite so it has been nice watching,' he said. 'I went to Mexico with my family so there's a six-hour time difference. The games kicked off at nine in the morning and it was really good, having breakfast and watching the games. We were winning so it made for a good day!'
